Casting & Auditions
The Western Stage is committed to inclusive casting practices. We believe in the value that diverse voices bring to telling a story, and the importance of casting that pushes against historical systems. Artists of all ethnicities, genders, and abilities are encouraged to audition.
In-Person Auditions
Sunday, April 14 - 1:00PM - 3:30PM
Studio Theatre (K116), Performing Arts Building MAP
Appointment Only:
1:00PM - 2:00PM; Check-in: 12:45PM
Open Call:
2:30PM - 3:30PM; Check-in: 2:15PM
To make an audition appointment, please email Casting at TWScasting@gmail.com.
Video submissions are always welcome!
The Mountaintop
Seeking Black actress for the role of Camae
An Enemy of the Pueblo
All roles open (except Petra)
Please note: All characters (except O'Connor) are played by Latinx actors
Emilia
All roles open (except Emilia 1 & 3)
Please note: All characters are played by female and/or female presenting actors
Video Auditions
Prepare two contrasting songs (uptempo and ballad) and/or monolouge, along with your headshot and resume to be considered.
Upload your resume and headshot to the form linked below. For videos, first upload your video to a host site, like YouTube or Vimeo, and add the link to the form. Make sure your video is not set to private and is no longer than 3 minutes.
Submit a video audition HERE.
Character Breakdowns
MAINSTAGE THEATER
FIRST REHEARSAL April 2
CONFLICT CUTOFF May 3
TECH May 10
8 PERFORMANCES May 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31, Jun 1, 2
Merrily We Roll Along is set in the showbiz world of the 1950s to 1970s, centering on three friends: composer Frank Shepard, lyricist/playwright Charley Kringas, and theatre critic Mary Flynn. The show follows the disintegration of the trio's bond over 20 years, from when they meet as young, aspiring artists to when Frank has left theatre — and his friends — behind for a swanky life as a Hollywood producer. Merrily We Roll Along tells this story in reverse chronological order, starting in 1976 and going back in time to 1957.
Franklin Shepard: A composer-turned-film producer. As he trades theatrical writing for Hollywood, he becomes elitist and loses his friends' respect. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Charley Kringas: A playwright and lyricist, and Frank's former writing partner. He dislikes Frank's commercial ambitions, preferring to write for art's sake. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Mary Flynn: A wannabe novelist-turned-theatre critic. She meets Charley and Frank in their shared apartment building, but she sinks into alcoholism as her career flails and her love for Frank remains unrequited. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Gussie Carnegie: A Broadway star and Frank's second wife. She seduces Frank while both are still married, and she introduces him to the glamorous world of fame. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Beth Spencer: Frank's first wife, who he meets and marries young. She is a fellow performer and a part of Frank, Charley, and Mary's friend group before divorcing Frank. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Joe Josephson: A Broadway producer and Gussie's first husband, who has a hard fall from grace — and wealth — after they split.
Roles to be played by Ensemble:
Ru, Franklin Shepard Jr, Mr. Spencer, Mrs. Spencer, K.T, Tyler, Scotty, Jerome, Terry, Dory, Bunker, Meg Kincaid, TV Newsman, TV Newswoman, Make-Up Artist, Stage Manager, Judge, Photographer, 1st Girl
STUDIO THEATER
FIRST REHEARSAL April 30
CONFLICT CUTOFF May 24
TECH May 31
10 PERFORMANCES June 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30
A gripping reimagining of events the night before the assassination of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 3, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.
Martin Luther King, Jr. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Camae
MAINSTAGE THEATER
FIRST REHEARSAL June 4
CONFLICT CUTOFF July 12
TECH July 19
8 PERFORMANCES July 27, 28, Aug 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
A lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.
Dom Claude Frollo (Baritone) THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Quasimodo (Tenor) THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Esmerelda (Mezzo) THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Clopin Trouillefou (Tenor-Bari) THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Captain Phoebus (Tenor-Bari) THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Congregant/Gargoyles
-
Saint Aphrodisius (Baritone)
-
Florika (Mezzo)
-
Father Dupin (Bari)
-
Lt. Charlus,
-
King Loui
-
Tribunal, Madam
-
Jehan (Tenor)
Ensemble
Romani, Paris Townspeople, Soldiers
STUDIO THEATER
FIRST REHEARSAL June 25
CONFLICT CUTOFF July 26
TECH August 2
10 PERFORMANCES Aug 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 31, Sep 1
In “An Enemy of the Pueblo” a curandera (shaman woman) warns the people in the border town of Milagros of the poisoning of the water, but no one wants to believe her because their economic futures depend on the water in the springs attracting the “gringos” back to the town. “Josefina López, famous for her breakout play ‘Real Women Have Curves,ˆ’ has taken inspiration from Ibsen’s ‘An Enemy of the People,’ changing one word that shifts the story of the play from frosty Norway to the warmth of a Mexican village called Milagros (miracles) with ‘An Enemy of the Pueblo.’ [Josefina López] gives the tale of public corruption a feminist spin by making the hero a woman named Magdalena Del Rio..
MAGDALENA “MAGDA” DEL RIO: 50s - 60s, Mexican of Apache descent, a Curandera (shaman) and Midwife, co-owner of the land where the springs are located who feels responsible for warning the town about what her psychic dream told her about the poisoning of the springwater and how that will affect everyone. Magda has psychic dreams and wisdom, but sometimesshe refuses to see the obvious. She is mourning her dead husband and regrets her evil deed whicheats away at her. She is close to becoming an alcoholic who might lose her sanity and knows it.
PEDRO DEL RIO: Magdalena’s younger brother, Mayor of the town, co-owner with Magda of the land where the springs are located who refuses to let Magdalena speak publicly about the truth because he has a lot to lose and wants to prove to the pueblo that he is better than his older sister. He has a leg that is crooked and struggles with being taken seriously as a successful man.
PETRA DEL RIO: Magda’s daughter, early 30s, responsible, hard working. She has a daughter who has inherited the psychic gift who she worries about. She worries too much and is losing her hair because she feels so guilty about getting raped and setting off the tragic chain of events. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
EUGENIO/GHOST OF EUGENIO: Eugenio is a courageous and proud man who lets his male pride get in the way which sets off a horrible chain of events that has left a mess for Magda and Petra. He is ashamed and his soul can not rest.
GHOST OF EL ZAPO: The head of a drug cartel, a criminal who has been cursed by Magda for killing her husband and raping her daughter.
O’CONNOR: 50s, A “gringo” Mexican of Irish descent who lives on both sides of the border, who buys pottery in Milagros and takes it to sell in the U.S. He helps Magda’s clients collect the bones of their dead relatives who die in the desert trying to cross the border. He has a crush on Magda and wishes to have a relationship with her. He also helps to smuggle people across the border when needed.
ARTURO: 30s, Petra’s husband who has returned from Los Angeles, a strong man who is simple and uneducated, only interested in the now and meeting his immediate needs.
JUAN JOSE: late 20s, a journalist who is afraid to return to the city because his life was threatened. He is the founder of the newspaper and believes in fighting for the truth up to a certain point.
LUIS: 20s, a journalist who is also a founder of the newspaper. He is committed to telling the truth and tries to help Magda. He has a huge appetite and when push comes to shove he is a courageous man. He has a crush for Petra and generally has a good and healthy attitude towards a hard life.
CLARITA DEL RIO: 10, Petra’s daughter, Magda’s grand-daughter, who is starting to show
signs of having gotten the psychic gift inherited by the female lineage for generations. She gets
temporarily possessed by her Great-Grandmother and communicates her messages to Magda on two occasions when she is in a trance.
MAN IN BLACK: 40s, a type of narrator that sings and plays guitar, a spiritual force that is al-
ways present. He is a shaman retelling Magda’s story who is responsible for sending Magda
home to the light.
ENSEMBLE CHARACTERS
ELVIA: A lady who wants to find out what happened to her husband who has not returned and goes to Magda for psychic help.
LAURA: A lady who gives birth with the assistance of Magda.
LAURA’S HUSBAND: Thanks Magda for helping birth his child.
DOÑA CAMPECHE: A mother who is happy her sons are back in town to stay because now there are jobs in Milagros. She is usually a friend and supporter of Magda until she hears she has to pay a tax to clean the water or shut down the springs; she becomes hostile towards Magda.
PADRE LAZARO: the town priest who drinks too much and gossips about people when he’s drunk. He does not like Magda because people go to her to seek spiritual advice instead of going to him. He talks behind her back and thinks she is a witch instead of a healer.
SEÑOR REYES: 40s, one of the heads of a company in charge of renovating the springs and
getting them ready for summer.
WOMAN OF THE PUEBLO: an ignorant woman who voices the fears of the pueblo.
MAN OF THE PUEBLO: an ignorant man who voices the fears of the pueblo.
STUDIO THEATER
FIRST REHEARSAL August 27
CONFLICT CUTOFF September 20
TECH September 27
10 PERFORMANCES Oct 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27
This modern musical ingeniously chronicles the five-year life of a marriage, from meeting to break-up and from break-up to meeting. An emotionally powerful and intimate musical about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in and out of love over the course of five years, the show's unconventional structure consists of Cathy, the woman, telling her story backwards while Jamie, the man, tells his story chronologically; the two characters only meet once, at their wedding in the middle of the show. Featuring a two-person cast, The Last Five Years is a great opportunity for actors with both range and stamina.
Jaime- THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Cathy- THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
MAINSTAGE THEATER
FIRST REHEARSAL August 27
CONFLICT CUTOFF October 4
TECH Octover 11
8 PERFORMANCE Oct 19, 20, 26, 27, Nov 2, 3, 9, 10
Emilia Lanier née Bassano (1569 - 1645) was one of the first English female poets to be published. This all-but-erased historical figure is the subject of Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s Olivier award-winning play, which was first commissioned for Shakespeare’s Globe with an all-female cast before heading to London’s West End. The little we know of Emilia Bassano Lanier is that she is the rumored “Dark Lady” in Shakespeare’s sonnets, mistress of Lord Chamberlain, a mother, teacher who founded a school for women, and radical feminist with North African ancestry. Living at a time when women had such limited opportunities, Emilia Lanier is therefore a fascinating subject for this speculative history, representing the stories of women everywhere whose narratives have been written out of history.
Emilia 1 THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Emilia 2
Emilia 3 THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
Margaret Johnson/ Mary Sidney/ Hester
Susan Bertie the countess of Kent/ Mary/ Bob
Lady Helena/ Lord Howard/ Eve
Lady Cordelia/ Flora
Lady Katherine/ Desdemona (Othello)
Lord Thomas Howard/ Judith/ Priest
Lord Collins/ Lady Anne/ Dave
Lord Alphonso Lanier/ Emilia (othello)
William Shakespeaker/ Man 2
Lady Margaret Clifford/ Midwife/ man 1